“For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race” (James 3:7).

What has more power?  The tongue or a strong man?  It is the tongue, the ability to communicate, which makes a key difference between man and beast — such a small thing that makes such a big difference.  Christ has come to make all things new.  What will be the new thing that will set apart the new man in Christ?  We shall see, but it is probably something we would not expect.

Lord, You know how deliberately confusing some in this world are.  They look you in the eye and lie.  Animals do not lie to you.  This difference can also be used for good.  Turn my tongue away from the fire of this rebellious age and toward You and the Good Word You give by grace.  You know what I need.  Lead me to go where I need to go so that I may have Your word on my lips always.

Lord Jesus, You are the Word made flesh.  You have come in order that all those who come through You would live into the new life which comes by grace.  Guide me today to speak the word You would have me speak.  Turn my heart so that it is sensitive to You and others.  Lead me to live out those fruits of the Spirit which You grant so that I may be guided into living in a godly way.  Amen.

“And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell” (James 3:6).

The idea here is not to make you feel so bad, nor be paranoid about talking, but realize that with the power of your ability to communicate, comes great responsibility.  If you let your mouth go free, it will destroy you.  Guard the gift of speech and be a steward of what is spoken.  One word can undo many: spoken in haste, or without regard, the good is replaced with evil, which may set on fire the course of your life.

Lord, help me to take seriously the gift of communication which You have given me.  I can speak and convey good words, but I can also speak badly and do damage.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of life such that I am on guard with what I say.  Help me to know that in You I have hope and there is a future.  In all I say, lead my tongue to speak those things which are pleasing to You and helpful to others.

Lord Jesus, lead me out of the mire of unhelpful words that are all around me that would take my heart away from You.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through and past the hurtful words that get spoken.  Let me not be one of those who speaks these words.  Through all things, lead me by Your grace to become intentional in my speech and uplifting through what I say.  May the truth and grace You give always be on my lips.  Amen.

“See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” (James 3:5)

A match is enough to burn down a forest.  How many fellowships have been destroyed by a careless word here or there?  O, the great destruction that has come because of careless talk.  You do not know who is listening, so always be on your guard with your speech.  Know that the Lord always hears when you talk – whether you want Him to or not.  Knowing such a small thing makes a big difference.

How can we know unless we hear?  How can we hear unless someone speaks?  Know that the world is moved in many directions with such a small thing as the tongue.  You too, in your relationships may influence others, for good or for evil.  Be on your guard less the wicked one trip you up and you feel free to speak things that are better off never having been said.  Words spilled out can never be put to rest.

Lord Jesus, bring me to a place where I am sensitive about my words.  Let me be guarded with my tongue.  Through all things, lead me to know that in You is all hope and a future.  That future includes a place where loose talk will not happen.  And it needs to begin with me.  Lead me Lord so that I would, day by day, be more guarded in the habit of careful speech and live with an attentive attitude toward others.  Amen.

“So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things” (James 3:5).

If somehow you could imagine an alien creature trying to figure out the most important part of human anatomy, you might well imagine they would say the tongue, or at least our mouth.  It is the focus of so many things.  And the reaction it causes.  It was the power behind the likes of Hitler.  The tongue — a small organ that can cause so much damage — speaks and the ear listens.

The Lord is giving instructions that are important.  Those of men, not so much: ”You must do this-or-that or you will have no hope.”  Those given by the Lord are what you do when you have hope.  You know that the Lord will walk with you and help you through these things.  He will lead you to curb your tongue and guard your mouth.  He intends to make you perfect (complete your sanctification) – and He will.  When you boast, boast in the greatness of the Lord.

Lord Jesus, we have in the Bible hundreds of  Your sayings.  These have changed the world.  How few words You needed to say to accomplish so much.  Help me learn from You so that I may learn to be guarded with the words I use.  Help me to be very intentional in my speech and learn how to say things in a way that points to You.  Lead my tongue and all the rest of me to follow You, my Lord and Master.  Amen.

“Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires” (James 3:4).

These examples show us the magnitude of what our tongues can do.  One of the biggest problems in the church, that is the local fellowship, are wagging tongues.  People do not realize how a little poison does much damage.  We would rather be nice and see the fellowship harmed than to confront the careless one who sows harm through false words.  But as for you, will you be one who’s tongue is bridled?

Lord, You know those who operate sinfully in the church with impunity.  May it never be me who does this.  Guide me to remain silent when an opportunity arises to say something that is better left unsaid.  Help me learn how to guard my speech.  The thoughts will come, but that does not mean I have to act upon them.  Help me walk the path You set before me and cause no other to waver in their course.

Lord Jesus, every word You spoke has meaning and purpose.  They all point to what You have done for us in order that we may be with You forever.  Guide me Lord Jesus in the upward way.  Lead me according to Your purpose to see through the haze of this life and have the hope You give by grace through faith.  Guide me today and every day to be on course in the direction You would have me go.  Amen.      

“Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well” (James 3:3).

Who holds the power in nations?  Is it the strong men, or those who control with their tongues?  How powerful the tongue is, for evil, but also for good.  Let your tongue be guided by the Holy Spirit in order that You may know and live out the goodness of the Lord.  Working out what you say of your faith is doing what you say in private as well as public.  They are in the same thread of wisdom.  Look to the One who will lead you.

You know where I do not do these things, Lord.  You know where I need to be guided by You to grow in the likeness of Christ.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may now and always be led by  You and You alone.  Help me to repent when my tongue wags, curses, or utters things that are not pleasing to You.  Lead me away from ungodliness and into Your presence to become more like Your Son.

Lord Jesus, You are the example of the godly life.  Help me to follow You  today and then, bridle my tongue.  Lead me, Lord, and help me to understand that only in You is there hope and a future.  You are doing in me what needs to be done.  Help me trust as You lead me in the way I need to go.  Aid me to willingly co-operate with the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

“For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well” (James 3:2).

The great equalizer: imperfection.  In one sense, we are not equal, for we each have our part in the body of Christ.  On the other hand, we are all absolutely equal, for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.  Knowing that you have stumbled, why do you treat another badly when they stumble?  Should you not give them the grace you receive?  You are not perfect.  Not yet.

Lord, You told us to be perfect even as the Heavenly Father is perfect.  But I am not.  Far from it.  You are the One who must perfect me.  Guide me in the upward way and fill me with grace for others.  We all have fallen short.  Take me off every “high horse” and teach me to care about others as You care about me.  Teach me all that I need to know and then help me put these things in action.

Lord Jesus, You were intentional with every word You spoke.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of speaking that I too would be intentional with my words.  Help me to know that You are here with us and that Your grace lifts me up.  Lead me so that the words of my mouth lift up others the way You have lifted me up.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy all the days of my life, now and always.  Amen.

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1).

One of the problems in a world where truth is relative, is that anyone and everyone thinks their opinion is equal to everyone else’s.  That may be the way of the world, but we are warned that one needs to know what they are talking about before they talk.  The Lord wants the truth spoken – not your version of what you think the truth is. We are accountable to the Lord.  Do as the Lord calls you to do: speak the truth that is absolute.

Lord, there are parts of Your word which I easily listen to and then other parts which I ignore.  All of Your word is profitable.  Guide me in the call You have given me so that I would not go where I have not been called, nor teach where I have not been empowered by You to teach.  In You, Lord, is all wisdom and I ask You to grant me that wisdom through Your mercy and grace.

I hear You, Lord.  Help me take all the tasks You give me seriously.  Nothing is more important than You.  You have given me the words of eternal life and all the words in this age are temporary.  Lead me in wisdom, Holy Spirit, in order that I would not shirk what is right and good, but live into the goodness and mercy You have given me.  Let me be responsible and respect those who are responsible and called by You.  Amen.

“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)

An animated being, that is what many people are.  Have you ever wondered why the fascination with zombies?  Here you have it: the walking dead.  Many live as though they weren’t living.  The just exist.  The Lord awakens our spirit and makes us truly alive.  Come then and see the difference in one who is living their faith versus one who is just going through the motions of this life.

You know where I too fall into the trap of just going through the motions, Lord.  Help me to be alive in You by living out this faith that You have given me.  Guide me according to Your purposes to see and better understand that You do not ask me to do the impossible but simply live into the faith that You have given me.  Lead me, Lord, according to Your purposes to know and do these things.

Lord Jesus, as You walked, You taught the disciples.  You healed people when You came into their town.  You fed thousands after teaching them.  You did things along the way.  Help me to understand that You are calling me to be a person of action and not just hear or read about these things and only think about them.  Help me to have a living faith that is expressed in all I think, say, and do.  Amen.

“In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?” (James 2:25)

We do the best we can.  Well, those who act in the Lord are doing the best they can.  There are those who do nothing.  It is to these who James is talking about.  Those who are doing what they are called to do may find these things are not helpful.  But the warning goes out to those who are doing nothing because, well, they are doing nothing.  How often do you listen to those who do lots of talking, but actually do nothing?

Lord, grant that I would learn discernment so that when I see someone who talks, but does nothing, I would see and understand.  Jesus, You have taught me that I can see people’s faith through their works.  It is not their works that saves them, but You.  However, as saved people, they are living in the salvation You have given them.  Help me to see these things more clearly.

Thank You, Jesus, for making the walk on the road of faith possible.  Help me, dear Lord, to walk this day knowing that in You is all hope and the only future worth living.  Guide me according to Your purposes to see these things more clearly.  Help me put into action my own faith in order that I would be someone who does what You say and not just someone who loves to talk about it.  Amen.